“It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr, former President of Bronx Community College, who served his country with great distinction in World War II as one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen and later as a leading champion for civil rights. During his 17 years of exemplary service as president, Dr. Brown intensified the College’s outreach to New York City’s economic and educational institutions through partnerships with business and industry. With his leadership, new programs were developed in high growth professions in the fields of health, technology and human services. He later joined The City University of New York Graduate Center as University Professor and Director of the Center for Urban Education Policy. Dr. Brown for many years hosted “African American Legends,” a public affairs show produced by CUNY TV. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family.”

Dr. Brown was also very physically active — he participated in the New York City Marathon nine times, and enjoyed two hometown teams, the Jets and the Mets.

But, during the winter he fell ill and had a pacemaker installed at Montefiore Medical Center, according to NBC 4.

“If he wasn’t as healthy and in such great shape, he probably wouldn’t have made it through this,” Brown’s physician, Dr. Daniel Sims, told NBC 4 New York. “Most 94-year-olds are not this active, but Dr. Brown is just remarkable,” he said.

Brown’s family posted a thank you message to supporters on Monday:

Brown’s message of resilience to young people in a 2011 interview with NBC 4, spoke wisdom and insight. He told reporter Tracie Strahan the following:

“My message to young people is to keep on working. You’ve got to be better, you’ve got to be disciplined, you’ve gotta believe. And if you believe you can overcome, you can overcome. That’s the story of the Tuskegee Airmen.”